Switch-stand



(No Model.)

H. McL. ABBRNETHY.

Patented Aug. 10,1897.

IL u

j WIN? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

SWITCH STAND.

2 a e h s P a e h S 2 T H m N Rm ES m AT .1 LW 0S M H a m M 0 W No.587,689. Patented Aug. 10,1897.

jzJ/azztol Z 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY MCLEAN ABERNETHY, OF BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH-STAN D.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 587,689, dated August10, 1897.

Application filed July 21, 1894. Renewed January 8, 1897. $erial Ne.618,483. (No model.)

To all whom it' HLrL/j concern;

Be it known that I, HARRY .MCLEAN ABER- NETHY, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Beaver Falls, in the county of Beaverand State ofPennsylvania, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements inSwitch- Stands; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention is an improved switch-stand, and it also includes themechanism contained therein for operating the switch and signal light ortarget. This device is also adapted for use in either the switch-yard oron the main line.

The object of the invention is to provide a stand that shall be of thesimplest character and formed of a single piece.

Another object is to so construct this stand that everyportion of themechanism shall be fullyprotected from snow, ice, dust, (to.

Another object is to so arrange the various operating parts that theball shall receive a two-thirds revolution instead of a half-revolution,as now practiced, thus insuringa more positive action of the parts; anda still further object is to construct all the locking mechanism uponthe stand and also arrange the same so that the ball of the hand-leverwill not strike the tie or earth.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is aperspective view of my improved stand. Fig. 2 is a similar view from theopposite side. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view throughthe stand and contained mechanism. Fig. at is a transverse verticalsection and Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view.

In carrying out my invent-ion I employ a stand or base A, which is castor made with a single piece and shaped as shownthat is, with two fiatsides (L a and the arched covering portion and sides I), all of saidsides terminating in a broad flat flange or base a, which is intended torest upon two or more crosst-ies. One of the sides C6 is formed with asmall chamber B, perforated in its upper side, as shown at b, to receivethe lower end of the signal-standard C. This side is also formed with aguide 0, through which the standard passes, thus holding said standardsteady against the stand proper. This standard carries a lantern D atits upper end and a target D below the same, and by making the standardlong or short the stand is adapted for use on the main line or yard.

The stand or base A being formed of a single piece it is obvious that nosnow, ice, or dust can get into the same. lVithin the stand A arejo'urnaled two horizontal shafts E and F, the shaft E being arrangednear the upper end and the shaft F near the lower end. Upon one end ofthe shaft E within the stand is mounted the hand-lever G, by means ofwhich the switch and signal are operated. This hand-lever is formed witha ball or block G at its free end, said ball or block being constructedwith a handhold g, as clearly shown, and upon the face of the side (0are formed stop-lugs H H, against which the hand-lever strikes, therebylimiting the movement of said lever and preventing the ball or blockstriking in the mud and slush and splashing the operator. The lugs IIalso carry lockingstaples 7t 71, which pass through the handlever andaiford a means of attachment for the usual padlock, all of these partsbeing preferably integral with the stand proper. Mounted upon the shaftE within the stand is a gearwheel K, which meshes with a wheel L,mounted upon the shaft F, said latter wheel being formed with adepending projection M, which extends below the base of the standbetween the ties and to'which the switch-rod N is attached. Thisprojection M has two holes m and m to receive the end of theswitch-block, the hole on being used when it is desired to move theswitch-point about five inches and the hole m when it is desired to movethe point only four inches. Another gear 0, forming a part of and castintegral with wheel L or mounted independent of said wheel upon theshaft F, is adapted to mesh with a horizontal gear P, mounted upon thelower end of the signal-standard and located within the chamber B.

By means of the mechanism above de-.

scribed it will be seen that when the'handlever is thrown from side toside the switchpoint willbe moved and the signal-standard revolved. ItWill also be noticed that by using two horizontal shafts, one below theother, and by connecting the lever to the upper one I am enabled tosecure a twothirds swing. or revolution for the hand-lever, thus gainingthe advantage of a much lighter and easier throw over otherdevices'which have only a one-half revolution. The connection betweenthe shaft and switch-stand is also rendered surer of action on accountof the peculiar arrangement.

Slight departures from the exact construction and arrangementhereinbefore referred to may be resorted to without departing from thespirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure byLetters Patent is- 1.' A switch-stand composed of a single hollow piece,the interior of the stand forming a single unobstructed chamber adaptedto receive a portion of the operating mechanism and having a broad,thickened flat base, two integral lugs on the-outside of one side ofsaid stand so arranged as to permit a twothirds throw of the stand-leverand serving as stops for the latter, and an integral extension on theother side of the stand forming a chamber to receive and support thelower end of a signal-standard, substantially as shown and described. 7

2. In a hollow switch-stand composed of a single piece, the combinationwith the stand proper, of the upper and lower shafts, journaled therein,integral lugs on the exterior serving as stops, the upper and lowergears, and the operating-lever connected with the upper shaft outside ofthe stand, said lever being capable of a two-thirds revolution,substantially as shown and described.

3. In a hollow switch-stand composed of a singlepiece without bolt 01:rivet, the combination with the stand proper, of the upper and lowershafts journaled therein, the upper and lower gears, integral lugs onthe exterior serving as stops, the signal-standard and gear connectionsbetween the same and the lower shaft, and the operating-lever connectedwith the upper shaft outside of the stand, said lever being capable of atwo-thirds revolution, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a switch-stand formed of a single piece and without bolt or rivet,the combination of the broad base and integral stops, the upper andlower shafts journaled within the switchstand, the upper and lowergears, the signalthirds revolution for throwing the switch-rod,

substantially as shown and described.

- 6. In a switch stand, the combination with the stand proper having abroad base and integral stops, the upper and lower shafts journaledtherein, the upper and lower gears, said lower gears having a dependingprojection, the signal standard having a gear at its lower end, a gearon the lower shaft meshing therewith, the switch-rod andoperating-lever, said operating-lever being capable of a two-thirdsrevolution, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY MCLEAN ABERNETHY.

\Vitnesses:

Jos. 0. Roman, A. R. LEYDA.

